For
the purposes of the combat, the elves are susceptible to missile
weapons and spells that strike at a distance. Melee weapons do
damage to the painting (and will destroy it).

Any
person hit by a boot or a billiard ball gets a save vs petrification.
If they make the save they take no damage. If they fail they take 1
point of damage. Since they are behind a billiard table and in a
magic painting, both the halflings and elves should be treated as in
50% cover from each other (effective AC 6 for each group).

The
party may choose to help one side or the other or do nothing. The
whole thing started when a halfling read out loud the caption beneath
the painting "Elfis Libris Majorcum". The halfing insulted
the elves shoe making skills and a combat began.

If
the elves chase off the halflings and have no other business to
attend to, they will return to being a painting. They cannot leave
the painting, but each character who helps fight the halflings will
be given a pair of magic shoes:

Player

Type
of Shoes

Cleric,
Druid, Bard, or Multi class

Shoes
of Protection +1

Thief,
Assassin, or Monk

Sandals
of Skulking

Fighter,
Paladin, or Ranger

Boots
of Ass Kicking

Magic-user
or illusionist

Loafers
of Legerdemain

Shoes
of Protection: Treat as a standard ring of protection.

Sandals
of Skulking: +20% to move silently and + 15% to hide in shadows

Boots
of Ass Kicking: +1 damage to all attacks.

Loafers
of Legerdemain: Memorize one extra spell each day among all of
those that you know (yes, it may be a high level spell).